The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-26
The Holy Land.

II and the house is shown where he saw
the sheet let down from Heaven.
4 There are but two good roads in
the far east the French have built
one from Damascus to Beyreuth, and
there is another, carriage road, from
4 Joppa to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
i Wheat is the staple article, and is
cultivated 10 the valleys and also
down in Egypt, ON the banks of the
Nile.
Jerusalem is walled and situated
on high ground. having steep ascents
! pn-fhe north, east and west sides,
presenting grand assemblage of
domes, palaces, towers and mopas-
tries. with here and there a minaret
"a high slender turret rising up
against the blue sky like sentinels,
and from the balconies of which the
faithfulare called to prayer.
Water is scarce in this part of the
world, so the rain is gathered into
pools or wells. and carrying water in
jars is one ofthe principal occupations
of the women. South of this city is
the pool of Salume, and is used by
the Arabs for washing and bathing.
1t existed before the time of the Jews
Haram is the sacred area of Jerusa-
lem. The Church CT the Holy Sep
ulchre is the principal object of in
terest to pilgrims and is grand
structure. AT the end of it is su-
perb rotunda and cupola, the light
roming in through the top. Directly
un Ter the opening, and placed in a
small chapel, is the Holy Sepulchre.
Three holes in the roof of the chapel
let out the smoke of many lamps,
which are kept constantly burning.
Near by is the Mosque of Omar,
the grandest pile of architecture in
the whole Turkish Empire. 1t oc-
cupies the site of the Temple of Solo
man. Here Mahomet came and
prayed, here it was. so his followers
believe, he was taken through the
rock, which is the dome, straight up
to Heaven. Omar |, was Callph of
the Saiacens and father-in- law of Mo.
hamet, He took possession of Jeru.
salem in 6S4 A. D., and was assassi-
mated five years later by a Persian
slave. 1t is only since the Crimean
War that the Turks have allowed
the outside world to enter their
mosques.
There is annually great number
of pilgrims to Jerusalem. The past
year they numbered 10000, 5000 Of
whom were serfS from Russia and
Poland. 1t is the great wish of
sert's heart that he may, at least once
in his life, perform this pilgrimage.
the Russian. or Greek Church, is
purchasing large tracts of land out
side the city. The Jews, assisted by
the ROthschilds, are establishing a
large colony on the outskirts. and are
building on and near Mount Olivet.
South of the city is the tomb of Day
id, and close by is large school for
Jews, also given by Rothschild.
The brook Kedron flows along the
valley on the eastern side of Jerusa.
lem, at the foot of Mount Olivet, from
the top of which the finest view OF
this historical city is obtained.
AT Bethany we are shown the tomb
where Lazarus was laid, and also the
house of Mary and Martha.
AS we go south toward Bethlehem,
we see the place where Rachel died
and was buried. The land surround
ing our Lords birthplace is rich and
fertile. Over the spot where Christ
was born is erected a monastery, or,
as it is called, 1.-THE Church of the
Nativity" another special shrine for
pilgrims.
Bethlehem is noted for the beauty
of its women. All Mohammedan
buy their wives. but wife from this
place commands twice the price of
any other woman.
Jacobs Well" is not at all like
what we imagined-walled around
as we have seen it in biblical pictures,
1t is now merely hole or pool,
though once church was built over
it, and scattered remains of the ruins
are still visible.
In this part of Palestine, yearly, to
the present day, come descendants of
the tribe of Levi. They are the finest
looking set of people in all this coun-
try. Tall, erect and fair, they follow
strictly the law of Moses, and believe
in the teachings Of Aaron.
Each city has its colony of lepers,
and eastern travellers are constantly
besieged by parties of these unfortu-
nate creatures, showing their diseas-
ed hands where the fingers have